I’ve had this orchid for probably 8 years, and think I’m all that time it sprouted a new stem with buds once. It continues to push out new leaves and roots. I’ve let the roots grow over and out the plastic pot, but I’m wondering if I should put them into the bark. Wondering how I can get this bad boy to flower again.
more light! and it’ll flower for ya — mine sits in an east-facing window and blooms every year like clockwork
2 J'aimeLight can be a factor, yes. However, I have found that certain phalaenopsis hybrids really need that drop in temperature for a few weeks in the fall to trigger its genetics to know it’s time to bloom. If you can safely lower its temp, (just overnight seems to work wonders-) to like 59-64 degrees, that should be enough to induce a flower spike to start.
1 j'aime Good point. I don’t turn the heat on in my house until I really must haha so my orchids are certainly aware when the temperature starts to drop
0 J'aimeSome just require more of a push than others. It certainly looks like it’s doing well otherwise. Are you consistent with fertilizing? When was the last time you repotted it? Those can play a small role too, but if it’s growing really well vegetatively, I wouldn’t think that they would be your issue here.
2 J'aimeYes regularly fertilized
0 J'aimeHmm. Might be tough since it’s summer in SoCal…short of cranking my AC down below 60🤷
0 J'aimeA better option would be to wait until nighttime temps drop wherever you live and just let nature do the work for you. Every evening you could leave it by a cracked window, put it on your porch, or in your garage. Someplace that is naturally cooler as the seasons change. If the drop in temp is the issue, in a couple weeks time you should see a spike emerging and you can leave it in its normal spot.
1 j'aime